DEL MAR : These Two Are Feeling Frisky Again

In May 1990, exercise rider Tuto Ithier thought he was saying goodby to Mister Frisky in New York.

Because of a large abscess in the colt’s throat, discovered after he finished third in the Preakness, doctors gave Mister Frisky less than a 50-50 chance of survival. “Tuto told me he thought this horse wasn’t coming back because he was so sick,” trainer Joe Garcia said.

To the amazement of everyone connected with him, Mister Frisky is back. Whether he can come all the way back to the form that saw him win his first 16 starts will be determined beginning today.

The 4-year-old son of Marsayas will make the first start in more than 14 months in the eighth race, a $50,000 allowance at six furlongs, against five opponents.

Garcia, who took over Mister Frisky when Laz Barrera died earlier this year, Ithier and regular rider Gary Stevens say the pride of Puerto Rico has returned better than ever.

“He’s coming up to the race in good shape,” said Garcia, who worked as Barrera’s top assistant for 12 years. “He’s looking good, acting good and eating good. I schooled him in the paddock and he looked like a million bucks over there.

“Tuto told me the other morning that this horse feels stronger than ever before. He’s a year older and he’s stronger. His attitude is still the same. He loves to train and he loves to run.”

Mister Frisky could be the way for Garcia, whose stable currently numbers 10, to expand, and Garcia is grateful for the chance that the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Jose Fernandez, gave him.

“They called and asked to meet with me (shortly after Barrera’s death),” Garcia said. “They asked for my thoughts on who should get the horse. They kind of knew me from the time I was with Laz when the horse first arrived (in the United States), but I got the feeling they wanted to know more. After we met, they decided to give me Mister Frisky.

“With a small stable, they knew I’d give the horse a lot of extra attention, and I’m really happy they gave me the opportunity to bring him back.”

With the opportunity came pressure. Mister Frisky is one of the most popular and well-publicized horses of recent years.

“It’s a good kind of pressure,” Garcia said. “I know how to train horses and I’m doing my best. I’ve done my part and I know I’ve done the right things. Now, it’s up to Gary and Mister Frisky.

“I think he’s a real good horse and I expect him to win. At the same time, I’ll be really, really happy if he runs well because he was so sick and he’s been away 14 months. I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t run well.

“We scoped him after a couple of his workouts, and everything was clear and working properly. There’s been no signs of any problem with his throat.”

Stevens, who has ridden Mister Frisky in all five of his American races, including a victory in the 1990 Santa Anita Derby, likes what he’s seen in the morning.

“He’s been working great,” Stevens said. “He’s a lot stronger and he’s got his attitude back. He’s very aggressive and wants to do something.

“He didn’t seem as comfortable when he worked on this track (five furlongs in 59 4/5 last Sunday) as he did at Hollywood Park. (The surface) was a little bit cuppy for him, but it was still a good work. I hope the rain will make it a little bit tighter.

“But the track won’t be a problem for him. He’s a racehorse, he’s a professional and he’s overcome adversity before.”

Garcia has thought beyond today for Mister Frisky, but isn’t willing to talk about any future plans yet.

“I just want to get over this,” he said. “I want to see how he runs and how he comes back. Our plans hinge on what happens Friday, so we’ll wait and see. I’m nervous, but it’s also exciting. To get a good horse in your hands is what the business is all about. He’s ready to go.”

Twilight Agenda will join stablemate Farma Way in Del Mar’s $1-million Pacific Classic on Aug. 10, the eighth leg of the American Championship Racing Series.

Trainer Wayne Lukas had said after Twilight Agenda’s victory in the San Diego Handicap last Saturday that the 5-year-old Devil’s Bag horse would bypass the Classic and wait for the $200,000 Del Mar Budweiser Breeders’ Cup on Sept. 8. Instead, Moyglare Stud Farm, which owns Twilight Agenda, will supplement him into the 1 1/4-mile Classic at a cost of $30,000. This will be his fifth race since June 21.